Recently, a dashcam for cars has been a famous device that many motorists are looking to attach to their car. A dashboard camera can have various functions such as recording your travel, taking pictures, or protecting and securing your vehicles. Besides, owning a dashcam is a great way to make your car look much more luxurious.
There are many kinds of dash cams for cars, different in colors, designs, and quality. So, how to choose the best dash cam for the car? The article below would introduce some valuable pieces of information and the best dash cams for the car in 2021, which is essential to choose a suitable one for you.
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Contents
- Top 10 Best Dash Cams for Car 2021 Reviews
- #1 Best Dash Cam for Car Overall: Nextbase 622GW
- #2 Most Advanced Dash Cam with Voice Control: Garmin Dash Cam 66W
- #3 Best Dash Cam for Car Front & Rear: Thinkware U1000
- #4 Best Budget Dash Cam for Car: Toguard Mini Dash Cam
- #5 Simplest Dash Cam for Car: Nextbase 522GW
- #6 Best Dash Cam for Car with GPS: BlackVue DR900S-1CH
- #7 Best Dash Cam for Car with Night Mode: Vantrue N1 Pro Mini
- #8 Best Dash Cam for Car with Excellent Picture Quality: Kenwood DRV-830
- #9 Best 4k Video Dash Cam for Car: VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K Dash Cam
- #10 Best Dash Cam for Wide-Viewing Angle: Halfords HDC400
- Features to Consider When Choosing a Dash Cam for Car
- FAQs
- Final Words
Top 10 Best Dash Cams for Car 2021 Reviews
#1 Best Dash Cam for Car Overall: Nextbase 622GW
The best dash cam for a car on our list is Nextbase 622GW. This device brings high video quality with 4K at 30fps and excellent digital image stabilization, smoothing out any bumps and shakes. More importantly, the inclusion of Alexa Skills technology and what3words geolocation services makes it available to control your car by voice and pinpoint any stricken vehicle.
Pros
- What3words and Alexa built-in
- High-quality videos
- Great stabilization
Cons
- Needs a large capacity SD card
- Poor smartphone app
Nextbase 622GW is the best dash cam for a car this year. Not only does it provide excellent video quality and stabilization, but there is also the application of new technologies such as what3words and Alexa.
#2 Most Advanced Dash Cam with Voice Control: Garmin Dash Cam 66W
The most advanced dashcam for a car with voice control on our list is Garmin Dash Cam 66W, a new product developed from Garmin Dash Cam 55W. Like its predecessor, the dashcam has a compact size and various functions. However, apart from the old model, Garmin Dash Cam 66W is well-equipped with a viewing angle of 180 degrees, giving a broader view of your car. Besides, a new HDR (high dynamic range) video recording is its surprise to customers cause it incredibly retains every detail even in high-contrast lighting.
Pros
- Size is compact
- High resolution
- Additional wide field of view
- Voice control
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Short battery life
Although the price is relatively high and the battery life does not always satisfy all prospects, Garmin Dash Cam 66W is the newest dash cam for a car with voice control. Besides, compact size with high resolution and wide field of view are more than enough for any car to be protected from risks.
#3 Best Dash Cam for Car Front & Rear: Thinkware U1000
With both the front and rear cameras, Thinkware U1000 deserves to be the best dual dashboard camera in 2021. The device can be set to record in Ultra HD 4K at 30fps front or 2K 1440p at 60fps rear. While U1000 does not have a screen, an integrated GPS and a suite of driver assistance and safety systems are their significant advantages. Besides, a broad viewing angle at 150 degrees front and 156 degrees rear make it possible to shoots almost all the angles in your car.
Pros
- Exceptional front video quality
- Speed camera and red light warnings
Cons
- Big front camera
- Lacking LCD screen
Thinkware U1000 produces high-quality videos at the front and gives speed camera and red light warnings. However, the front camera does not always fit your car cause it’s a big size and there is no LCD screen.
#4 Best Budget Dash Cam for Car: Toguard Mini Dash Cam
If you are on a tight budget, To guard Mini Dash Cam is an intelligent choice. Because of its small size, you can conceal it behind your mirror. Also, with a price lower than 100$, you can get a dashboard camera with great specs, such as a viewing angle of 120 degrees, which means all three lanes of traffic can be captured simultaneously.
Pros
- Low price
- Small size
Cons
- Too basic
- Short battery life
Despite the battery, To guard Mini Dash Cam requires only a reasonable price with an ideal size for any car and other great specs.
#5 Simplest Dash Cam for Car: Nextbase 522GW
Different from its 622GW siblings, Nextbase 522GW is an older but cheaper and simpler model. Even if you are a former, there’s no confusion for you to use this dash cam. Significantly, the videos can be quickly sent to a smart device through Bluetooth or wi-fi, ensuring you to watch them on many platforms. Also, an innovative Emergency SOS system is included and a crisp 1440p resolution with a wide-angle lens.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Amazon Alexa built-in
- Cheap
Cons
- The footage is not class-leading
- Lacking SD card
Nextbase 522GW is the best option for someone looking for a simple device. Moreover, a reasonable price and extra Amazon Alexa technology are factors making it beloved by many customers.
#6 Best Dash Cam for Car with GPS: BlackVue DR900S-1CH
While there are a few dash cams, including GPS, BlackVue DR900S-1CH deserves to be the best one for its other significant functions. One of the most impressive features of this machine is its cloud-based subscription package, making it possible to view life and recorded footage remotely. There is also a service to send messages to your smartphone whenever the camera detects a collision. Therefore, you do not have to be worried about any bumps for your car while you are absent.
Pros
- Cloud access available
- 4K video resolution
- An integrated GPS
- Slim and compact design
Cons
- No display
- A monthly fee is required for most cloud features.
BlackVue DR900S-1CH is an excellent device with GPS mode. Furthermore, a high resolution, extraordinary look, and cloud access make it worth investing in.
#7 Best Dash Cam for Car with Night Mode: Vantrue N1 Pro Mini
If you want to find a dash cam to protect your car at night, Vantrue N1 Pro Mini is the best one. With a Sony Night Vision Sensor (IMX323) and NOVATEK NT96658 processor, the device can capture high-quality nighttime video footage. Besides, you can still record hours of HD video via a 256GB microSD card at an affordable price.
Pros
- Sony IMX323 image sensor is used.
- Motion detection for parking mode
- Wide lens angle
- Small size
Cons
- Not built-in GPS model
- Not suitable for hot areas because of using a battery
Vantrue N1 Pro Mini can work effectively both on days and nights. Especially with an excellent image sensor, wide lens angle, and small size, many prospects are satisfied with their cars’ security.
#8 Best Dash Cam for Car with Excellent Picture Quality: Kenwood DRV-830
One of the best dashboard cameras delivering excellent image quality on this list is Kenwood DRV-830. This device has incredible specs with a low price, such as video quality of 1440p (Full HD) and a 144-degree viewing angle. Besides, the inclusion of a MicroSD card and internal memory makes it possible to store a massive amount of data.
Pros
- Great image quality
- Huge storage potential
Cons
- Poor design
- Relatively fiddly menus to navigate
Despite a not stunning design and fiddly menus, Kenwood DRV-830 can produce impressively short videos. Besides, while the price is not high, customers can believe in its large memory.
#9 Best 4k Video Dash Cam for Car: VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K Dash Cam
With an outstanding 4k video quality, VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K Dash Cam is one of the best dash cams for a car. Moreover, the device also has both front and rear cameras, both of which use Sony image sensors to capture crisp and clear pictures in both day and night.
Additionally, there are two options for the rear camera. Customers can choose to mount it on the back window and record the outside environment. On the other hand, it is also possible for an interior infrared camera to be mounted facing inwards and recording the car’s inside space, often used by Grabber or taxi drivers.
Pros
- Both front and rear cameras have Sony image sensors.
- Small size
- Use a capacitor instead of a battery.
Cons
- A small field of view
VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K Dash Cam has been the best 4K video dash cam for the car recently. Despite a small field of view, this pales into insignificance compared to its outstanding features like Sony image sensors in both cameras and a capacitor’s usage.
#10 Best Dash Cam for Wide-Viewing Angle: Halfords HDC400
The Halfords HDC400 is famous for its wide-viewing angle, 180 degrees, and the management to record in full HD.
That said, the video is high-quality, with the WDR abilities, making it possible to capture a low light image. Besides, there is a GPS tracker included.
By contrast, there are a few demerits of this machine. It would be rather complicated for users to set-up the cam because of lacking a monitor. The accompanying smartphone app must be download before having access to the device’s wi-fi and then get a live feed from the camera to check the position.
Pros
- The design is sleek and discreet.
- The footage is crisp and clear.
- Ultra-wide viewing angle
Cons
- Lack of monitor
- Max 32GB SD card
Halfords HDC400 is an exceptional dash cam for a wide-viewing angle. Moreover, a beautiful design and good footage make the device much more valuable in the market.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Dash Cam for Car
Power
Power is the time a dashcam can run continuously in one charging. Often, the power of a dashcam depends on its storage capacity.
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On average, an HD dash cam can record for 2-3 hours on an 8GB card before starting all over again. A 16GB card can last up to 6 hours, a 32 GB for 6 to 12 hours, and 128GB for 20 to 40 hours. Therefore, choosing a dash cam with more than ten memory cards of 32 GB to use comfortably is suggested.
Resolution
The resolution is one of the most critical factors affecting the video quality. If you do not want to receive grainy videos useless in insurance and accident claims, you should choose a dashcam with a resolution higher than 720p. These devices will provide sharp footage to make out license plate numbers, car models, and faces.
The resolution of a dashcam varies from SD, HD to 4k. However, it is best to choose full HD cameras, which are in high-definition. While a non HD dash cam is cheaper, the low-quality videos will disappoint you right after buying.
Night Vision
Night vision is an essential specification of a dashcam, making sure your car is safe even at night. Therefore, you should check whether it can work well in low light conditions and whether the camera has useful low light sensors before buying any dashcam.
In detail, the camera’s low light capabilities are decided by the wide dynamic range (WDR) or high dynamic range (HDR). Because many accidents happen at night, it is highly recommended to choose a camera with these features to record and process footage in low light.
Others
While power, resolution, and night vision are the most crucial factors to consider before choosing any dashboard cameras for cars, some other features should also be checked to ensure you have the best one.
Wi-fi Connection
A wi-fi connection is a top way to connect your cam with other devices such as your smartphone or tablet. However, some dash cams offer wi-fi, and some are not. Therefore, if you want to review footage, adjust settings or watch a live feed indirectly, opting for one with a wi-fi connection is an intelligent choice.
Voice Control
Many dash cams, either low or high price, can be controlled by voice now. For a reason, it’s better to choose a model with voice control, and you still can save a lot of money. Just imaging how convenient it is when you only need to say “play music,” “start recording”,… and you’ve got what you want immediately; you’ll know it’s worth paying for.
Parking Mode
Parking mode is another improvement of dash cams these days. For those who often forget to lock your car after parking and then regret losing important stuff in the car, a parking mode is superbly necessary. In this mode, motion detection technology will be used to monitor activities around your automobile, and short clips will be recorded if any significant movement is detected.
Besides, while turning on this mode, the camera will automatically record whenever it realizes any bumps or knock, using its internal g-sensor.
In both cases, you could be satisfied with the quality of the footage of the guilty parties captured so that you can track them down anytime.
Emergency Calls
Emergency calls are the last important thing you should consider. In case you have accidents or other risks, the emergency calls of your dash cam would immediately be active so that you can have access to the nearest place.
FAQs
Which dash is cam best?
Nextbase 622GW is the best dash cam in 2021. The newest production of Nextbase brand with What3words and Alexa available, high-quality videos, and excellent stabilization.
What are the best front and rear dash cam?
Thinkware U1000 is the answer to this question. It both has well-equipped front and rear cams and speed camera/ red light warnings.
Are dash cameras a good idea?
Of course, choosing a good dash camera will ensure you the protection and security of your valuable car in any case.
Final Words
Overall, if you are looking for the most advanced dash cam for a car with voice control, Garmin Dash Cam 66W is a great option. It also has a compact size, high resolution, and an additional wide field of view. However, Toguard Mini Dash Cam is the best dash cam for a car if you want to save money. Besides, small size is its great strength.
In conclusion, above are the ten best dash cams for cars in 2021. Besides, the article gives you some necessary pieces of knowledge to choose your suitable one. Hopefully, you will find your car dash cam to have safe road trips!